Official languages commissioner concerned about federal budget cuts

Advertisement

Advertise with us

MONTREAL - Canada's commissioner of official languages says he wants to ensure language rights don't suffer as a result of federal spending cuts.

Read this article for free:


or

Already have an account? Log in here »

To continue reading, please subscribe:

Subscribe and receive a limited-edition Free Press branded hat or tote.

Digital Subscription

One year of digital access for only $205*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
  • Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
  • Access News Break, our award-winning app
  • Play interactive puzzles

*First annual payment billed as $205.00 + GST for one year. This annual subscription will automatically renew at $233.00 + GST every 52 weeks (10% off the regular annual price of $259.35). Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.

To continue reading, please subscribe:

Add Free Press access to your Brandon Sun subscription for only an additional

$1 for the first 4 weeks*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
  • Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
  • Access News Break, our award-winning app
  • Play interactive puzzles
Start now

*Your next Brandon Sun subscription payment will increase by $1.00 and you will be charged $17.95 plus GST for four weeks. After four weeks, your payment will increase to $24.95 plus GST every four weeks.

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 25/11/2025 (318 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

MONTREAL – Canada’s commissioner of official languages says he wants to ensure language rights don’t suffer as a result of federal spending cuts.

Raymond Théberge was speaking today in Dieppe, N.B., where he tabled his midterm findings on the 2023-2028 action plan, which includes $4.1 billion in funding.

The commissioner says it’s important that official languages aren’t disproportionately affected as Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government looks to reduce federal spending.

Official Languages Commissioner Raymond Theberge responds to a question during a news conference in Ottawa on May 9, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
Official Languages Commissioner Raymond Theberge responds to a question during a news conference in Ottawa on May 9, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

In its fall budget, the Liberal government outlined a plan to shave program spending and administrative costs by about $60 billion over the next five years, and to cut 40,000 public service jobs by 2029.

Théberge told a news conference that official languages have been affected by past budget cuts, with language training, research and job cuts ordered without measuring the government’s ability to deliver services in both official languages.

The commissioner, who has held the post since 2018 and plans to retire in January, says official languages are a fundamental Canadian value.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 25, 2025.

Report Error Submit a Tip

More Stories

Ladies and gentlemen of voting age, please turn your attention to the centre ring…

Dan Lett 5 minute read Preview

Ladies and gentlemen of voting age, please turn your attention to the centre ring…

Dan Lett 5 minute read Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026

If there’s one thing that we in the news business wish for any election, it’s that the campaign is competitive and voters have multiple, viable options when it comes time to cast their ballots.

That is certainly what I wished for in this year’s Winnipeg mayoral election: a ballot with two or more competent candidates — including incumbent Scott Gillingham — that offered contrasting visions for the future of the city.

Unfortunately, this time we didn’t get competent or viable. Instead, we got a clown show stuffed with candidates for mayor who have demonstrated a stunning capacity for self-inflicted wounds.

It all started when mayoral candidates Kevin Klein and Mike Vogiatzakis both alleged they had been asked by each other’s campaign to step down to give the remaining candidate a better shot at defeating Gillingham.

Read
Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026

Alberta’s gopher museum closed until further notice as owners find new facility

Daniela Germano, The Canadian Press 3 minute read Preview

Alberta’s gopher museum closed until further notice as owners find new facility

Daniela Germano, The Canadian Press 3 minute read Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2026

A quirky Alberta roadside attraction that has delighted travellers for decades with its stuffed rodents in tiny costumes is closed until further notice. 

The World Famous Gopher Hole Museum, located in Torrington, a hamlet about 120 kilometres north of Calgary, made the announcement online earlier this week.

Laural Kurta, museum director, said she was forced to close the doors because the two historical buildings that house the exhibits need to be replaced. 

"We have done every patch repair, staple, spackle, everything we could possibly do, and it is just at its end," Kurta said in an interview Tuesday. 

Read
Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2026

Today’s horoscope

Georgia Nicols 4 minute read Preview

Today’s horoscope

Georgia Nicols 4 minute read 2:00 AM CDT

MOON ALERT: After 3:30 a.m. there are no restrictions to shopping or important decisions. The moon is in Libra.

ARIES (March 21-April 19)

You will have to go more than halfway when dealing with others, which is no biggie. This simply requires you to be present, accommodating and willing to go along to get along. Be aware that a partner, spouse or close friend might surprise you.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20)

Read
2:00 AM CDT

Sex offender who changed name sent back to prison

Dean Pritchard 7 minute read Preview

Sex offender who changed name sent back to prison

Dean Pritchard 7 minute read Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026

The father of a boy repeatedly abused by convicted sex predator Ryan Knight said he believes his son would have been kept safe had there been a law in place preventing sex offenders from legally changing their name.

Read
Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026

Nurses disciplined for botched IV infusion

Nicole Buffie 3 minute read Preview

Nurses disciplined for botched IV infusion

Nicole Buffie 3 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 4:36 PM CDT

Two nurses working at the Grace Hospital have been reprimanded and fined $2,500 each for an IV infusion gone bad and an attempted coverup.

The incident happened on November 23, 2023 when a nurse asked a colleague to set up an IV infusion on him in an unused operating room.

During the attempted IV start, the nurse lost consciousness. The nurse who attempted the IV drip and another who was in the room called for help and several staff responded.

The nurse regained consciousness and vomited, but recovered and continued to work his shift, a March 18 decision by the College of Registered Nurses of Manitoba says.

Read
Updated: Yesterday at 4:36 PM CDT

Manitoba worker dead after fall from roof

Matthew Frank 3 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 5:56 PM CDT

The province is investigating after a worker died on the job after falling off a roof last month.

The worker, who was employed by Winnipeg-based Pristine Roofing & Siding, was critically injured on Sept. 22 after falling from a roof during a residential re-roofing project in the Rural Municipality of St. Andrews, a provincial spokesperson said in an email.

The man later died.

The investigation is ongoing, and no other information will be provided, the spokesperson said Thursday.